Field Specialist

Position: Field Crew Leader/Member (AmeriCorps, ages 18 – 30 / Veterans 18-35)

Service Term and Education Award Amounts:

1700 Hours

$7,395.00

*Members are eligible for an education award up to the amount listed by enrollment type

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,500/month pre tax
• Training, certifications, networking
• Access to gear lending library
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Service term eligible to count towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee that engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters. Our mission is to cultivate a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet. Learn more at conservationcorps.org.

Our values embody safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership. In working toward our vision, we believe that it is important we commit to the following:

• Using equity as a lens for the work we do and decisions we make
• Building a shared vision surrounding Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals with our partnering organizations and communities, and
• Providing an equitable training environment and high-quality programming to all our participants.

Position Summary: The AmeriCorps Field Specialist provides training, education, coordination, and leadership to AmeriCorps Members and other participants. The Field Specialist will help fellow AmeriCorps members achieve personal and program success through the principles of teamwork and service-learning. Specialists must be responsive to instructions and feedback delivered by the Field Coordinator, Program Staff, and project hosts from land management agencies such as the DNR, USFWS, NPS, SWCDs, cities and counties. In addition to providing support and training to members and participants, Field Specialists help support a variety of natural resources projects. Natural resources projects vary but may include:

• Invasive species management
• Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
• Prescribed burning
• Trail construction & maintenance
• Tree planting
• Basic carpentry
• Raingarden maintenance
• Emergency response

Projects are in partnership with public land management agencies such as the State Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, cities, counties, and trail associations. Projects are physically challenging and team-oriented and may occur throughout the Midwest, including urban and wilderness settings.

Primary responsibilities include fostering AmeriCorps member development through experiential learning, providing technical skills training, monitoring field safety and conducting equipment maintenance. In addition, the Field Specialist helps coordinate logistics, tools and equipment for AmeriCorps members and participants natural resources projects, shuttles vehicles and/or equipment as needed, and serves alongside AmeriCorps members on more technical field projects.

Role Clarification:

This is an AmeriCorps member level position, NOT a staff member. While serving in this AmeriCorps position, members need to abide by the below restrictions:

• Members may NOT sign/approve official documents such as AmeriCorps paperwork, other member‘s timecards, performance evaluations, disciplinary contracts, project contracts or any similar documents.
• Members may NOT be directly involved in project acquisition or contracting.
• Members may NOT discipline other AmeriCorps members. While they may provide guidance, facilitate crew meetings, motivate, reward and uphold safety policies on the service site, all policy violations and disciplinary action must be directed to and handled by Corps staff.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate service projects and assist with project management, including training, site safety visits, assisting crews with technical projects, filling in for short-handed crews, shuttling equipment and coaching Crew Leaders. Partner with project hosts and Crew Leaders to determine schedules, daily plans, tasks, tools and responsibilities so projects are accomplished in an efficient, safe and consistent manner.
• Provide or coordinate training, including skills training, project-specific trainings, and crew operation trainings (in some programs this may include youth development and youth leadership facilitation).
• Provide and/or coordinate crew operation training such as team building, effective communication, conflict resolution, and in some programs youth development, and youth leadership facilitation.
• Conduct on-the-job training demonstrations for all crews starting new projects or using specialized tools.
• Complete natural resources service projects in cooperation with fellow members safely, effectively and efficiently and to the satisfaction and specifications of the project host
• Abide by Corps program safety regulations as well as applicable federal/state/municipal law and OSHA requirements; communicate any safety concerns and incidents.
• Contribute actively to the team to complete projects, demonstrating a commitment to the Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership as well as diversity and inclusion.
• Support member development to ensure that members achieve personal and program success through the principles of teamwork and service-learning.
• Commit to completing the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement
• Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in timely manner.
• Maintain and track equipment and assure proper maintenance of Corps fleets and equipment, including maintaining logs and records.

Hours & Schedule

Schedules can vary, depending on location and position. Members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week.

A typical schedule may be Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Tuesday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:30PM or Wednesday – Saturday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM. All schedules include a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours.

Overnight travel (4 – 12 consecutive days) is often required for service projects. Some special assignments (including wildfire response and other emergency response assignments) may require members to deploy for several weeks at a time.  

Training & Development

The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year. Additional region or project specific training may be included throughout the service term depending on project need, length of term and other factors. Examples of potential trainings include:  

• AmeriCorps benefits
• Team building and conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Safety and risk management
• Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
• S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification training
• First Aid/CPR/AED
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• Trailer operation and safety
• Invasive species management/herbicide application
• Plant identification
• Leave No Trace principles

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of conservation project management from a variety of disciplines such as timber stand improvement, trail construction, GIS/GPS surveying, rain garden installation, habitat restoration and prairie/forest management
• Experience with hand and power tool safety, use and small engine repair.
• Experience in tree felling and chainsaw operations, construction and mechanical skills.
• Iowa locations only: Must possess or be able to acquire an Iowa Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Corps will provide training and support to obtain license.
• Current First Aid/CPR certificate or better
• Previous experience in a leadership role, including coordinating and implementing training.
• Effective communication skills and ability to multi-task and be flexible in responsibilities.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate weekend programming, out of town assignments and emergency response
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
• Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
• Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:
• Long (8-12 hour) days engaging in physically demanding work using various hand and power tools
• Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
• Working in all weather conditions
• Based on location/project, some members may be required to pass the arduous Work Capacity Test.
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US
• Must pass a criminal history check consisting of a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing the criminal history check is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the state or FBI checks.
• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s in the past five years)

Preferred Qualification

• Leadership experience with youth and/or young adults preferred.
• Previous AmeriCorps experience and previous education or experience in related field is preferred.

Other Information

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone. This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-30, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.